A tort claim dated May 26 alleges that former Oklahoma State Department of Education employee Janessa Bointy was wrongfully terminated on Mar. 9 after speaking at a Mar. 6 Edmond Public Schools Board of Education meeting.
Bointy's comments concerned student mental health concerns, according to the court filing.
Documents allege that FOX 25's inclusion of Bointy's comments in a story regarding the Mar. 6 meeting precipitated her termination.
FOX 25 did not conduct a formal interview with her, and did not identity her as anything other than an Edmond Public Schools parent in its story.
The story used comments Bointy presented to the board at-large in a public forum.
The claim also alleges that Bointy, "was unaware of any news presence when making her comments."
According to the court filing, the reasons given for Bointy's firing were, "breach of the confidentiality agreement; violation of Respondent's media policy; and improper use of time and leave."
However, the tort claim alleges that Bointy's speech was protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and Art. II, Sec. 22 of the Oklahoma Constitution.
Bointy is seeking at least $10,000 in compensation related to her firing.
OSDE spokesman Justin Holcomb provided the following statement in response to FOX 25's request for comment on the matter:
OSDE does not comment on HR matters.
After the original statement mentioned above, Holcomb provided FOX 25 with this additional statement:
These legal claims are absurd, frivolous, and a waste of taxpayer time and money. It’s a political stunt with no legal merit.
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